US STOCKS TICK HIGHER: Here's what you need to know

The theme for the second half of this week in markets has been rising tensions between the US and North Korea. Those geopolitical tensions sent markets lower on Wednesday and Thursday, breaking a long streak of gains.

Friday was a bit different, as most markets rose. Investors’ uncertainty, measured by the VIX volatility index, is still at higher levels not seen since the election, but stock markets are back to positive returns.

The S&P 500 has closed within 0.30% of its opening level in 16 of the last 17 days of trading. The index closed 0.09% higher on Friday. The Dow closed up 0.05% and the Nasdaq was up 0.64%.